Dual end divider

ABSTRACT

A dual ended or reversible divider includes an elongated base member with a first end and an opposite second end. A divider wall extends away from the elongated base member. A first profile portion is positioned adjacent the first end of the elongated base member and is adapted to engage a first type of rail which can be mounted on a shelf. A second profile portion is positioned adjacent the opposite second end of the elongated base member and is adapted to engage a second type of rail which can be mounted on the shelf.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to a dual end divider assembly for merchandising shelf systems. It finds particular application in conjunction with merchandising shelving provided with rails including different attachment profiles, and will be described with particular reference thereto. However, it is to be appreciated that the present exemplary embodiment is also amenable to other like applications.

Merchandising shelf assemblies are generally arranged to stock, store or display various products or merchandise for potential customers. Many stores sell various retail items that have various geometric shapes and sizes. It is desirable to provide shelf assemblies that are individually configurable to stock, store or display the various products in various arrangements. The shelf assemblies include a shelf on which product is placed. The shelf may be provided with a facing assembly that includes a rail and dividers and tracks mounted to the rail.

Shelf dividers neatly separate multiple products into columns on the shelf. Dividers are used to increase sales and enhance presentation. Multiple sizes and styles are available. In many instances, the dividers connect to the shelf via an elongated mounting member, often termed a rail. The rail can include a vertically oriented wall or fence aligned with a front edge of the shelf to prevent product from falling off the shelf. The rail can also include an attachment profile positioned adjacent to the fence that runs lengthwise along the shelf. The divider, or a plurality of dividers, is adapted to connect to the rail along the attachment profile at a desired position on the shelf. The attachment profile is adapted to support the divider and prevent its movement sideways along the rail while also allowing a user to adjust the location of the divider along the shelf as needed.

The rails produced by different manufacturers have differing attachment profiles that are associated with the respective manufacturer's dividers and tracks. Shelving manufacturers sell the dividers, rails and tracks as a system. Thus, the dividers of a manufacturer's facing assembly are designed to only be connectable to the attachment profile of the rail associated with that system. A problem can exist when a merchant has many different shelving systems with dividers and rails of different attachment profile configurations. For example, a merchant may have a first type of divider that is configured to attach to a rail having a first type of attachment profile, when mounted to the existing shelf, is a rail having a different second attachment profile.

Therefore, there remains a need to provide a dual end divider that is configured to connect to either a first type of rail or a second type of rail, depending on which end of the reversible divider is used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one embodiment, the present disclosure pertains to a dual end divider including an elongated base member with a first end and an opposite second end. A divider wall extends away from the elongated base member. A first profile portion is positioned adjacent the first end of the elongated base member and is adapted to engage a first type of rail on a shelf. A second profile portion positioned adjacent the second end of the elongated base member wherein the second profile portion comprises a flange which extends forwardly from the second end of the elongated base member and is adapted to engage a second type of associated rail.

In another embodiment of the present disclosure, provided is a reversible divider for merchandising comprising an elongated base member including a first end and an opposite second end, a first surface configured to abut an associated shelf and an opposite second surface. A divider wall extends from the second surface of the elongated base member. A first profile portion is located along the first surface of the elongated base member adjacent the first end, wherein the first profile portion comprises a first channel and a plurality of spaced teeth disposed adjacent a rear wall of the channel, wherein the first profiled portion is configured to connect to a first type of associated rail. A second profile portion is located along the first surface of the elongated base member adjacent to the second end. The second profile portion comprises a second channel and a plurality of spaced second teeth extending downwardly from a roof of the second channel, wherein the second profile portion is configured to connect to a second type of associated rail.

In still another embodiment, a method is provided for connecting a reversible divider to a shelf, the method includes the steps of providing a divider having an elongated base member and a divider wall that extends from the elongated base member. A first profile portion that defines a channel is located adjacent a first end of the elongated base member and a second profile portion is located adjacent a second end of the elongated base member. The second profile portion includes a flange that extends from the second end of the elongated base member. The divider assembly is placed on the shelf. The first profile portion is coupled at a desired position along a first type of rail positioned on the shelf or the second profile portion is coupled at a desired position along a second type of rail positioned on the shelf, wherein the divider can be connected to either the first type of rail or the second type of rail depending on which end of the reversible divider is used.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure may take form in certain parts and arrangements of parts, several embodiments of which will be described in detail in this specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partially broken away, of a dual end divider according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the dual end divider of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the dual end divider of FIG. 1 according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a partial side elevational view of one end of the dual end divider of FIG. 1 attached to a first type of rail according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the dual end divider of FIG. 1 attached to the first type of rail of FIG. 4 according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a greatly enlarged exploded perspective bottom view of a broken away portion of the dual end divider of FIG. 1 and a broken away portion of the first type of rail of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is an assembled bottom plan view of the dual end divider and first type of rail shown in FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view, partially broken away, of the dual end divider attached to the first type of rail through line 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the dual end divider of FIG. 1, partially broken away, and second type of rail according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the dual end divider and second type of rail as shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an exploded top perspective view of the dual end divider and the second type of rail of FIG. 10;

FIG. 12 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the dual end divider and the second type of rail of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the dual end divider and second type of rail of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view, partially broken away, of the dual end divider attached to the second type of rail through line 14-14 of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It is to be understood that the detailed figures are for purposes of illustrating exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure only and are not intended to be limiting. Additionally, it will be appreciated that the drawings are not to scale and that portions of certain elements may be exaggerated for the purpose of clarity and ease of illustration.

In accordance with the present disclosure, FIG. 1 illustrates a divider 100 that includes an elongated base member 110 having a first or bottom surface 120 that is configured to abut an associated shelf (not shown) and an opposite second or top surface 130. The first surface 120 is oriented generally parallel to the second surface 130 such that the elongated base member 110 is shaped to be generally rectangular. A divider wall 140 extends or protrudes away from the second surface 130 of the elongated base member 110 in a generally perpendicular orientation. The divider wall 140 has generally planar side faces with rounded ends. The divider 100 can be made of any relatively rigid material such as a conventional plastic or metal and may be of any color. The divider can also be transparent.

A first profile portion 150 is located along the first surface 120 of the elongated base member 110 adjacent a first end 160 of the divider. It is configured to be connectable to a first type of rail 240 (See FIG. 4-8). A second profile portion 170 is located along the first surface 120 of the elongated base member 110 and is configured to be connectable to a second type of rail 250 (See FIGS. 9-14). The second profile portion 170 is located adjacent a second, opposite, end 180 of the divider 100.

The first profile portion 150 is defined by a first connecting structure 190 including a rearwardly angled lip 200, a first back surface or roof 210 and a first or rear end wall 220. In this embodiment, the lip 200, the roof 210 and the rear end wall 220 extend the width of the elongated base member 110. The rear end wall 220 extends inwardly from and is oriented generally transverse to the bottom surface 120. The roof or first back surface 210 extends from the first end wall 220 and is oriented generally parallel to the bottom surface 120. As mentioned, the lip 200 protrudes rearwardly from the roof 210 and defines a groove 230 located therebetween. The first connecting structure 190 thus defines a first channel or transverse slot that is configured to receive a elongated profile section 420 (FIG. 4) of the first type of rail 240 to support the divider 100 in a desired location along the shelf.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the elongated base member 110 includes a first side edge 270 and an opposite second side edge 280. The first side edge 270 is oriented generally parallel to the second side edge 280. A wing member 290 can extend outwardly from the first side edge 270 to provide additional support to maintain the divider wall 140 in a vertical orientation when the divider 100 is positioned on the shelf. In this embodiment, a first end edge 375 of the wing member 290 is aligned with the end wall 220 of the first profile portion 150 and extends to an opposite tapered second end edge 380 located adjacent the second profile portion 170. The wing member 290 can have various configurations and this disclosure is not limiting.

With reference again to FIG. 1, a slope surface 234 defines a notch portion 236 and is located on the side of the lip 200 opposite the groove 230. The notch portion 236 extends from a pinnacle edge of the lip 200 to the first end 160 of the elongated base member 110 and can include reinforcing rib members 390 (FIG. 6) therein.

In this embodiment, the elongated base 110 of the divider 100 includes a plurality of reinforcement rib members 390 that extend in intersecting configurations to provide structural reinforcement to the divider 100. Similar reinforcement ribs can be positioned along the first profile portion 150 in vertical and horizontal relationships. However, this disclosure is not limiting as to the configurations of the reinforcement ribs 390.

A plurality of spaced first teeth 300 extend or protrude from the first end wall or rear wall 220 and are configured to align with a plurality of corresponding first teeth 310 (FIG. 5) positioned along the first type of rail 240 to prevent or retard lateral movement of the divider 100 relative to the shelf. As shown in FIG. 4, the lip 200 is configured to connect to a ridge or wall 320 of the first type of rail 240 wherein the nose or ridge 320 fits within the groove 230.

The second profile portion 170 is defined by a second connecting structure 260 having a second end wall 330, a second back surface 340 a plurality of spaced second teeth 350 and a forwardly protruding flange 360. In this embodiment, the second back surface 340 and the second end wall 330 extend the width of the elongated base member 110. The second end wall 330 extends inwardly from and is oriented generally transverse to the bottom surface 120. The second back surface 340 extends from the second end wall 330 and is oriented generally parallel to the bottom surface 120. The plurality of second teeth 350 protrude from the second back surface 340 and are spaced from the second end wall 330. As shown in FIG. 9, the second connecting structure 260 defines a channel that is configured to receive an elongated profile section 440 of the second type of rail 250 to support the divider 100 in a desired location along the shelf.

As shown in FIG. 12, the second roof or back surface 340 can include a first platform section 400 and a second platform section 410. In this embodiment, the first platform section 400 extends from the second end wall 330 (FIG. 9) and is generally aligned along a first plane. The second platform section 410 extends from the first platform section 400 but is generally aligned along a spaced second plane. The plurality of second teeth members 350 extend from the second roof or back surface 340 at the first platform section 400. As is evident from FIG. 9, the second teeth 350 are spaced from the second end wall 330.

As mentioned, the flange 360 of the second profile portion 170 extends forwardly from the second end 180 of the divider 100 and is configured to fit within an elongated groove 385 of the second type of rail 250 as can be seen in FIG. 9. The flange 360 protrudes from the second platform section 410 of the second profile portion 170 and is oriented generally parallel with the bottom surface 120 of the elongated base member 110. The plurality of second teeth 350 extend from the second profile portion 170 in a generally perpendicular configuration to align with a plurality of corresponding teeth 370 of the second type of rail 250 to prevent or retard lateral movement of the divider 100 relative to an associated shelf.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5-8, the first type of rail 240 includes an elongated profile section 420 that can be inserted into the channel formed by the first profile portion 150. The first type of rail 240 is configured to abut the first connecting structure 190 (FIG. 4) in an attached position wherein the plurality of first teeth 300 located along the first end wall 220 inter-engage with corresponding first teeth 310 disposed on a rear face of the first type of rail, as best seen in FIG. 6, along a desired portion of the elongated profile section 420. The nose or ridge 320 along the elongated profile section 420 is configured to be received within the groove 230 of the first profile portion 150. In the attached position, a top surface 430 of the elongated profile section 420 abuts the first back surface 210.

Illustrated by FIGS. 9-14, the second type of rail 250 includes a profile having a plurality of second teeth 370 positioned along the elongated profile section 440. The second teeth 370 extend from a wall of the profile section and face forwardly towards a front fence 450 of the second type of rail 250. In contrast, the corresponding first teeth 310 of the first type of rail face rearward away from a front face 460 of the first type of rail 240 (see FIG. 4). The first profile portion 150 and the second profile portion 170 are configured to allow a user to selectively attach the dual ended divider 100 to either a first type of rail 240 or second type of rail 250.

The method of connecting the reversible or dual ended divider 100 to a shelf includes the steps of providing the divider 100 with the elongated base member 110 with the divider wall 140 that extends from the elongated base member 110 in a generally transverse orientation. The first profile portion 150 that defines a first channel is provided adjacent the first end 160 of the elongated base member 110. The second profile portion 170 which defines a second channel is provided adjacent to the opposite second end 180 of the elongated base member 110. The divider 100 is placed at a desired position along the shelf. Depending on which type of rail is mounted to the shelf, either the first profile portion 150 is coupled to the first type of rail 240 or the second profile portion 170 is coupled to the second type of rail 250. The divider 100 can be connected to either the first type of rail 240 or the second type of rail 250 depending on which end of the reversible divider 100 is used.

As the divider is coupled to either the first type of rail 240 or the second type of rail 250, the plurality of first or second teeth members 300, 350 engage with the plurality of corresponding first or second teeth 310, 370 which respectively extend from the first or second type of rail 240, 250.

Regarding the first profile portion 150, the ridge or nose 320 is fit within the groove 230 along the desired portion of the first type of rail 240 as the divider 100 is generally angled relative to the rail 240. The divider 100 is then slightly rotated into alignment. The first teeth 300 may have a general tapered orientation to engage and self-align with the corresponding first teeth 310 disposed along the elongated profile portion 420. The top surface 430 abuts the first back surface 210 as the elongated profile section 420 of the first type of rail 240 is inserted into the channel defined by the first connecting structure 190. The divider 100 is now coupled to a shelf that includes the first type of rail 240.

Regarding the second profile portion 170, the flange 360 is positioned within the elongated groove 385 along the desired portion of the second type of rail 250 as the divider 100 is generally angled relative to the rail 250. The divider 100 is then slightly rotated downwards into alignment. The second teeth 350 extend downwardly from the second roof or back surface 340 with a generally tapered orientation to engage and self-align with the corresponding second teeth 370 disposed along the elongated profile portion 440. The flange 360 is supported within the groove 385 as the elongated profile portion 440 abuts the first platform 400 of the second back surface 340. The divider 100 is now coupled to a shelf that includes the second type of rail 250.

The exemplary embodiments of the disclosure have been described herein. Obviously, modifications and alterations will occur to others upon reading and understanding the preceding detailed description. It is intended that the instant disclosure be construed as including all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof. 

1. A dual end divider comprising: an elongated base member including a first end and an opposite second end; a divider wall extending away from the elongated base member; a first profile portion positioned adjacent the first end of the elongated base member and is adapted to engage a first type of associated rail; and a second profile portion positioned adjacent the second end of the elongated base member wherein the second profile portion comprises a flange extending forwardly from the second end of the elongated base member and adapted to engage a second type of associated rail.
 2. The divider according to claim 1, wherein the first profile portion includes a first type of connecting structure and the second profile portion includes a second type of connecting structure such that the divider is configured to be selectively attachable to either the first or the second type of associated rail depending on which end of the divider is connected to the associated rail.
 3. The divider according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the first profile portion and the second profile portion defines a channel that is configured to receive a profile section of one of the first and second types of associated rails to support the divider in a desired location along an associated shelf.
 4. The divider according to claim 1, wherein the first profile portion includes a lip member configured to connect to a ridge section of one of the first and second associate rails.
 5. The divider according to claim 4, wherein the lip member extends between a first side and an opposite second side of the elongated base member.
 6. The divider according to claim 4, wherein the first profile portion further comprises a first end wall extending from a first surface of the elongated base member and a first seat surface extending from the first end wall such that the lip member extends therefrom in a position spaced from the recess wall and defining a channel such that the first profile portion is configured to receive a corresponding section of the first type of associated rail.
 7. The divider according to claim 6, further comprises a plurality of teeth that extend from the first end wall and are configured to align with a plurality of corresponding teeth positioned along the first type of associated rail to prevent lateral movement of the divider relative to the associated shelf.
 8. The divider according to claim 1, further comprises a plurality of teeth that extend from the second profile portion and are configured to align with a plurality of corresponding teeth of the second type of associated rail to prevent lateral movement of the divider relative to an associated shelf.
 9. The divider according to claim 8, wherein the second profile portion includes a second end wall extending from a first surface of the elongated base member and a second seat surface extending from the second end wall such that the plurality of teeth extending therefrom are spaced from the second end wall.
 10. The divider according to claim 9, wherein the second profile portion further comprises a flange that extends from the second end of the elongated base member and is generally aligned with the seat surface wherein the flange is configured to fit within a groove of the second type of associated rail.
 11. A reversible divider for merchandising comprising: an elongated base member including a first end and an opposite second end, a first surface configured to abut an associated shelf and an opposite second surface; a divider wall extending from the second surface of the elongated base member; a first profile portion located along the first surface of the elongated base member adjacent to the first end wherein the first profile portion comprises a first channel and a plurality of spaced first teeth disposed adjacent a rear wall of the channel, wherein the first profile portion is configured to connect to a first type of associated rail; and a second profile portion located along the first surface of the elongated base member adjacent to the second end wherein the second profile portion comprises a second channel and a plurality of spaced second teeth extending downwardly from a roof of the second channel, wherein the second profile portion is configured to connect to a second type of associated rail.
 12. The divider according to claim 11, wherein the elongated base member includes a first side and an opposite second side such that at least one of the first profile portion and the second profile portion extends between the first side and the second side of the elongated base member.
 13. The divider according to claim 11, wherein the first profile portion first channel further comprises a roof and a lip member wherein the lip member is spaced from the rear wall.
 14. The divider according to claim 12, wherein the second profile portion second further comprises a rear wall which is spaced from said plurality of spaced second teeth.
 15. The divider according to claim 14 wherein said second profile portion further comprises a flange protruding from said elongated base member.
 16. The divider assembly according to claim 16 wherein the flange is generally aligned with the roof and is configured to fit within a groove of the second type of associated rail.
 17. The divider according to claim 15, wherein the roof of the second profile portion channel includes a first section and a second section.
 18. The divider according to claim 17, wherein the first roof section is generally aligned along a first plane and the second roof section is generally aligned along a second plane wherein the first plane is spaced from the second plane.
 19. A method of connecting a reversible divider to a shelf, the method comprising: providing a divider having an elongated base member and a divider wall which extends from the elongated base member; providing a first profile portion that defines a channel located adjacent a first end of the elongated base member and a second profile portion located adjacent a second end of the elongated base member, the second profile portion including a flange that extends from the second end of the elongated base member; placing the divider assembly on the shelf; and coupling the first profile portion at a desired position along a first type of rail positioned on the shelf or coupling the second profile portion at a desired position along a second type of rail positioned on the shelf, wherein the divider can be connected to either the first type of rail or the second type of rail depending on which end of the reversible divider is used.
 20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the coupling step further comprises engaging a plurality of teeth members extending from the first profile portion with a plurality of corresponding teeth extending from the first type of rail or engaging a plurality of teeth members extending from the second profile portion with a plurality of corresponding teeth extending from the second type of rail. 